Parents miss Sandhu Jr's show at Wankhede

Mumbai's blue-eyed swing bowler Balwinder Singh Sandhu (Jr) was in the thick of action, claiming four for 80 against Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy semi-final clash at the Wankhede Stadium yesterday. However, Sandhu's parents -- Harcharanjit Singh and Baljinder Singh -- were a tad disappointed for unable to see his son taking those wickets yesterday.

Balwinder Singh Sandhu's parents at the Wankhede Stadium yesterday

"We especially came to see him take wickets. But we missed it as we reached the venue late. We are very happy for him. He has performed in a big game for his team," Balwinder's (Jr) father, Harcharanjit told MiD DAY, who was seated in a corner of the MCA Pavilion stand. Balwinder's (Jr) elder brother Amardeep was also present.

"There is a lot of enthusiasm among family, friends and our locality (Chembur). He bowled to Mumbai players in the nets for three years before getting this opportunity. It is a proud moment for us," added his father, who works as a technician with Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers (RCF) in Chembur.

Balwinder's parents narrated an interesting tale of how they kept their son's name Balwinder. "We had to decide a name starting with 'B'. We were getting suggestions to keep a name of famous India hockey players like Balbir, etc. But I did not like hockey. I liked cricket.

I zeroed in on Balwinder because I was a big fan of Sandhu (Sr). He was also a part of the 1983 World Cup winning team, which was a few years before his birth in 1987. But I never thought he would go on to become a swing bowler like Balwinder Singh Sandhu," he concluded.